BOSTON – A probation official testified Monday that he begged out of the hiring process at the department after he noticed that individuals whose names were passed on by superiors were increasingly receiving jobs – after he made sure they advanced past the initial interview stage.

Questioning of Richard O’Neil, a regional administrator who oversees probation officers in family courts, began the seventh week of a federal trial for former Probation Commissioner John O’Brien of Quincy and two of his former deputies, Elizabeth Tavares and William Burke III.

The three are accused of operating a surreptitious patronage program, granting jobs to politically backed applicants in exchange for “political currency” from state lawmakers and others.

The jury also heard how a candidate in the western part of the state heard about his promotion while bartending at a popular Northampton restaurant, and was later told to thank a legislator for it.

O’Neil said he was surprised to see Doug MacLean as the preferred choice for a job at the Bristol Probate and Family Court in 2005 because O’Neil had attended a Bristol County district attorney’s office briefing where MacLean discussed his drug use and his time in jail.

Prosecutors claim MacLean is one example of a fraudulent hiring system that operated within the public safety agency.

Defense attorneys have tried to demonstrate the qualifications of the allegedly fraudulent hires, and show that recommendations and influence were not limited to the probation department.